FILE - In this Monday, Dec. 10, 2012, file photo, fog obscures the Capitol dome on Capitol Hill in Washington. Even if Congress and the White House fail to strike a budget deal by New Year's Day, reality may be a lot less bleak then the scenario that's been spooking employers and investors and slowing the U.S. Economy. The tax increases and spending cuts could be retroactively repealed after Jan. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)